Salford have called off their festive friendly against Leigh amid continuing uncertainty over the club's future.

The City Reds, who are due in court on 7 January to face a winding-up petition, said they were unable to raise a team for the friendly, which was due to take place at the Leigh Sports Village on Sunday 30 December.

The Reds' coach, Phil Veivers, who has been able to make only one new signing so far ahead of the 2013 Super League season, said: "It's unfortunate but we had to make the right call. We have a few too many knocks and niggles this week and, as everybody knows we are a bit light on personnel at the moment anyway with the current situation.

"We felt it was better to give the boys an extended break over Christmas and prepare ourselves fully for the Swinton game on 6 January."

Salford's bank account remains frozen and recruitment hinges on new investment in the club taking place. The club, who are faced with a tax bill in the region of £50,000, need to find around £600,000 in the next six weeks to pay off their debts.